Guaranteed delivery of changes to security policies in a distributed system

ABSTRACT

Improved approaches for communicating changes to security policies (or rules) in a distributed security system are disclosed. Depending on the status of an affected user in the system, the changes can be delivered to the user if the user is logged in the system or effectuated in a state message in a local server and the state message is delivered to the user next time the user is logged in the system. If a local server is not operative at the time that a change request is received for a user of the local server, the change request is redirected to another local server. The user is directed to the another local server to affect the change request. As a result, various changes are guaranteed to be delivered to the affected users without compromising the network efficiency.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,194, filed Feb. 12, 2002, and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MULTI-LOCATION ACCESS MANAGEMENT TO SECURED ITEMS,” which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. This application also claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/339,634, filed Dec. 12, 2001, and entitled “PERVASIVE SECURITY SYSTEMS,” which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to security systems for data and, more particularly, to security systems that protect data in an inter/intra enterprise environment.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The Internet is the fastest growing telecommunications medium in history. This growth and the easy access it affords have significantly enhanced the opportunity to use advanced information technology for both the public and private sectors. It provides unprecedented opportunities for interaction and data sharing among businesses and individuals. However, the advantages provided by the Internet come with a significantly greater element of risk to the confidentiality and integrity of information. The Internet is an open, public and international network of interconnected computers and electronic devices. Without proper security means, an unauthorized person or machine may intercept any information traveling across the Internet and even get access to proprietary information stored in computers that interconnect to the Internet, but are otherwise generally inaccessible by the public.

[0006] There are many efforts in progress aimed at protecting proprietary information traveling across the Internet and controlling access to computers carrying the proprietary information. Cryptography allows people to carry over the confidence found in the physical world to the electronic world, thus allowing people to do business electronically without worries of deceit and deception. Every day hundreds of thousands of people interact electronically, whether it is through e-mail, e-commerce (business conducted over the Internet), ATM machines, or cellular phones. The perpetual increase of information transmitted electronically has lead to an increased reliance on cryptography.

[0007] One of the ongoing efforts in protecting the proprietary information traveling across the Internet is to use one or more cryptographic techniques to secure a private communication session between two communicating computers on the Internet. The cryptographic techniques provide a way to transmit information across an unsecure communication channel without disclosing the contents of the information to anyone eavesdropping on the communication channel. Using an encryption process in a cryptographic technique, one party can protect the contents of the data in transit from access by an unauthorized third party, yet the intended party can read the data using a corresponding decryption process.

[0008] A firewall is another security measure that protects the resources of a private network from users of other networks. However, it has been reported that many unauthorized accesses to proprietary information occur from the inside, as opposed to from the outside. An example of someone gaining unauthorized access from the inside is when restricted or proprietary information is accessed by someone within an organization who is not supposed to do so. Due to the open nature of the Internet, contractual information, customer data, executive communications, product specifications, and a host of other confidential and proprietary intellectual property remain available and vulnerable to improper access and usage by unauthorized users within or outside a supposedly protected perimeter.

[0009] Many businesses and organizations have been looking for effective ways to protect their proprietary information. Typically, businesses and organizations have deployed firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to provide protection. Unfortunately, these various security means have been proven insufficient to reliably protect proprietary information residing on private networks. For example, depending on passwords to access sensitive documents from within often causes security breaches when the password of a few characters long is leaked or detected.

[0010] Besides the difficulty in protecting resources on networks, security systems have transparently imposed security on documents while also permitting authorized parties to utilize the files as if there were no security. These security systems, however, are not robust systems capable of efficiently and reliably permitting changes to security criteria, which is particularly challenging with security systems operating in networked environments. Therefore, there is a need to provide more effective ways for security systems to secure and protect resources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention relates to improved approaches for effectuating and communicating changes to security policies (or rules) in a distributed security system. The changes to security policies are distributed in a controlled manner to those users in the security system that are affected. As used herein, a user may mean a human user, a software agent, a group of users, a member of the group, a device and/or application. Besides a human user who needs to access a secured document, a software application or agent sometimes needs to access secured files in order to proceed forward. Accordingly, unless specifically stated, the “user” as used herein does not necessarily pertain to a human being. The distribution of such changes to security policies can be deferred for those affected users that are not activated (e.g., logged-in or on-line) with the security system.

[0012] Depending on the status of an affected user in the system, the changes can be delivered to the user if the user is logged in the system or effectuated in a state message in a local server and the state message is delivered to the user next time the user is logged in the system. If a local server is not operative at the time that a change request is received for a user of the local server, the change request is redirected to another local server. The user is directed to the another local server to affect the change request. As a result, various changes are guaranteed to be delivered to the affected users without compromising the network efficiency. The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, and computer readable medium. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

[0013] As a method for distributing a security policy change within a security system, the method comprises generating a command to include the security policy change in response to a request received from the central server, determining users that are to be affected by the security policy change, effectuating the security policy change in a state message for a user among the users when the user is not logged in the system, wherein the state message is to be pulled to the user whenever the user is logged in the system, and delivering the command to the user when the user is currently logged in the system.

[0014] As an architecture for distributing a security policy change within a security system, one embodiment of the invention includes a central server providing access control management in the system, at least a first local server and a second local server, each carrying out some or all of the access control management for a plurality of users, wherein the central server initiates a request to alter access privilege of a user managed by the first local server and sends the request to the second local server upon detecting that the first local server is not operative, in response to the request, the second local server pushes a command to the user to carry out the security policy change if the user is logged with the second local server, and, wherein the central server effectuates the security policy change in a state message for the user when the user is not logged in the system, the state message is delivered to one of the first and second local servers whenever the user is logged with the one of the first and second local servers, the state message is subsequently pulled to the user.

[0015] As a computer readable medium including at least computer program code for distributing a security policy change within a security system, one embodiment of the invention includes program code for receiving a request from a central server to carry out the security policy change to alter access privilege of a user to secured items in the system, program code for determining a first local server that services the user, program code for generating a command in a second local server in response to the request when it is determined that the first local server is not operative, both the first and second local servers coupled to the central server, program code for delivering the command to the user when the user is currently logged with the second local server, and, program code for effectuating the security policy change in a state message for the user when the user is not logged in the system, wherein the state message is delivered to one of the first and second local servers whenever the user is logged with the one of the first and second local servers, wherein the state message is subsequently pulled to the user.

[0016] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon examining the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1A shows a basic system configuration in which the invention may be practiced in accordance with an embodiment thereof.

[0019]FIG. 1B shows another system configuration in which the invention may be practiced in accordance with an embodiment thereof.

[0020]FIG. 1C shows still another system configuration in which the invention may be practiced in accordance with an embodiment thereof.

[0021]FIG. 1D shows internal construction blocks of a computing device in which the invention may be implemented and executed.

[0022]FIG. 2A is a block diagram of securing a created document according to one embodiment.

[0023]FIG. 2B is a diagram of a representative data structure for a secured file according to one embodiment.

[0024]FIG. 2C is a diagram of a representative directory structure including a clear folder and a secured folder according to one embodiment.

[0025]FIG. 3A is a diagram of a security system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0026]FIG. 3B shows a functional block diagram of a server device according to one embodiment.

[0027]FIG. 3C shows a functional block diagram of a local server device according to one embodiment.

[0028]FIG. 3D shows a functional block diagram of a client machine according to one embodiment.

[0029]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of security policy change processing according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0030]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of security policy change message delivery processing according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0031]FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of security policy change queue storage processing according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0032]FIG. 6B is a flow diagram of efficiently delivering security policy change in a distributed network according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0033]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of deferred delivery processing according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The present invention relates to improved approaches for effectuating and communicating changes to security policies in a distributed security system. The changes to security policies are distributed to those users in the security system that are affected. As used herein, the user may mean a human user, a software agent, a group of users, a device and/or application(s). Besides a human user who needs to access a secured document, a software application or agent sometimes needs to access the secured document in order to proceed forward. Accordingly, unless specifically stated, the “user” as used herein does not necessarily pertain to a human being. The distribution of such changes to security policies can be deferred for those affected users that are not activated (e.g., logged-in or on-line) with the security system.

[0035] The present invention is related to processes, systems, architectures and software products for providing pervasive security to digital assets. The present invention is particularly suitable in an enterprise environment. In general, pervasive security means that digital assets are secured (i.e., secured items) and can only be accessed by authenticated users with appropriate access rights or privileges. Digital assets may include, but not be limited to, various types of documents, multimedia files, data, executable code, images and texts.

[0036] In general, a secured file can only be accessed by authenticated users with appropriate access rights or privileges. Each secured file is provided with a header portion and a data portion, where the header portion contains, or points to, security information. The security information is used to determine whether access to associated data portions of secured files is permitted.

[0037] Secured files are files that require one or more keys, passwords, access privileges, etc. to gain access to their content. The security is often provided through encryption and access rules. The files, for example, can pertain to documents, multimedia files, data, executable code, images and text.

[0038] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will become obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein are the common meanings used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present invention.

[0039] Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations in the invention.

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention are discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 1A-7. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.

[0041]FIG. 1A shows a basic system configuration in which the present invention may be practiced in accordance with one embodiment thereof. Documents or files may be created using an authoring tool executed on a client computer 100, which may be a desktop computing device, a laptop computer, or a mobile computing device. Exemplary authoring tools may include application programs such as Microsoft Office (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel), Adobe FrameMaker and Adobe Photoshop.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the client computer 100 is loaded with a client module that is capable of communicating with a server 104 or 106 over a data network (e.g., the Internet or a local area network). According to another embodiment, the client computer 100 is coupled to the server 104 through a private link. As will be further explained below, a document or file created by an authoring tool can be secured by the client module. The client module, when executed, is configured to ensure that a secured document is secured at all times in a store (e.g., a hard disk or other data repository). The secured documents can only be accessed by users with proper access privileges. In general, an access privilege or access privileges for a user may include, but not be limited to, a viewing permit, a copying permit, a printing permit, an editing permit, a transferring permit, an uploading/downloading permit, and a location permit.

[0043] According to one embodiment, a created document is caused to go through an encryption process that is preferably transparent to a user. In other words, the created document is encrypted or decrypted under the authoring application so that the user is not aware of the process. A key (referred to herein as a user key) can be used to retrieve a file key to decrypt an encrypted document. Typically, the user key is associated with an access privilege for the user or a group of users. For a given secured document, only a user with a proper access privilege can access the secured document.

[0044] In one setting, a secured document may be uploaded via the network 110 from the computer 100 to a computing or storage device 102 that may serve as a central repository. Although not necessary, the network 110 can provide a private link between the computer 100 and the computing or storage device 102. Such link may be provided by an internal network in an enterprise or a secured communication protocol (e.g., VPN and HTTPS) over a public network (e.g., the Internet). Alternatively, such link may simply be provided by a TCP/IP link. As such, secured documents on the computer 100 may be remotely accessed.

[0045] In another setting, the computer 100 and the computing or storage device 102 are inseparable, in which case the computing or storage device 102 may be a local store to retain secured documents or receive secured network resources (e.g., dynamic Web contents, results of a database query, or a live multimedia feed). Regardless of where the secured documents or secured resources are actually located, a user, with proper access privilege, can access the secured documents or resources from the computer 100 or the computing or storage device 102 using an application (e.g., Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word or Acrobat Reader).

[0046] The server 104, also referred to as a local server, is a computing device coupled between a network 108 and the network 110. According to one embodiment, the server 104 executes a local version of a server module. The local version is a localized server module configured to service a group of designated users or client computers, or a location. Another server 106, also referred to as a central server, is a computing device coupled to the network 108. The server 106 executes the server module and provides centralized access control management for an entire organization or business. Accordingly, respective local modules in local servers, in coordination with the central server, form a distributed mechanism to provide distributed access control management. Such distributed access control management ensures the dependability, reliability and scalability of centralized access control management undertaken by the central server for an entire enterprise or a business location.

[0047]FIG. 1B shows a configuration in which a central server and local servers are employed. The configuration may correspond to a large enterprise having multiple geographic locations or offices. A central server 106 maintains a database managing the access privileges and the access rules in the entire enterprise. One of the features in this configuration is the underlying capability to provide fault tolerance and efficient AC (Access Control) management for a large group of users. Instead of having the central server 106 performing the AC management for each of the users at one single location, a number of local servers 104 (e.g., 104-A, 104-B, . . . and 104-N) are employed in a distributed manner to service the individual locations or offices. Each of local servers 104 executes a local module derived or duplicated from the server module being executed at the central server 106 to manage those users who are local to respective local servers 104. The central server 106 can centralize the AC management in addition to managing the users if necessary.

[0048] According to one embodiment, a local module can be a customized version of the server module that runs efficiently for only a few locations or a group of users. For example, a local server 104-A is only responsible for the users or computers 102-A in location A, while a local server 104-B is only responsible for the users or computers 102-B in location B. As a result, even if the central server 106 has to be taken down for maintenance or is not operative at the time a user needs to access secured documents, the access control will not be disrupted. The detailed operation of the local servers 104 in cooperation with the central server 106 will be further described below.

[0049] According to another embodiment, a local module is a replicated version of the server module and exchanges any updates with the server module when connected (e.g., periodically or at request). Depending on implementation, part or all of the server module can be duplicated in a local server to ensure that communications with users or their client machines are efficient and fault tolerance. As a result, even if the central server 106 has to be taken down for maintenance or is not operative at the time a user needs to access secured documents, the access control will not be disruptive. For example, in such a situation, any of the local servers 104 can step up and take the place of the central server. When the central server 106 is running or communicating with the local servers 104, information collected at the respective local servers about the users or their activities is sent back to the central server 106. The detailed operation of the local servers 104 in cooperation with the central server 106 in this regard will also be further provided below.

[0050]FIG. 1C shows a configuration suitable for a small group of users. In this configuration, no local servers are employed. A server computer 112 is loaded with the server module and each of the users or terminal computers 116 (only one is shown therein) is loaded with a client module. As a result, the server computer 112 performs the AC management for each of the users or the terminal computers 116.

[0051] It should be noted that there is no clear distinction between a small group and a large group of users as far as the number is concerned. Given the description herein, those skilled in the art will understand how to distribute or balance the AC management among one or more other computing devices. To facilitate the following description of the present invention, the setting shown in FIG. 1B will be assumed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the description herein is equally applicable to FIG. 1C or situations in which other possible settings between one or more central servers and one or more local servers are desired.

[0052]FIG. 1D shows internal construction blocks of a computing device 118 in which one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented and executed. The computing device 118 may correspond to a client device (e.g., computer 100, computing or storage device 102 in FIG. 1A) or a server device (e.g., server 104, 106 in FIG. 1A). As shown in FIG. 1B, the computing device 118 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 122 interfaced to a data bus 120. CPU 122 executes instructions to process data and perhaps manage all devices and interfaces coupled to data bus 120 for synchronized operations. The instructions being executed can, for example, pertain to drivers, operating system, utilities or applications. Device interface 124 may be coupled to an external device, such as the computing device 102 of FIG. 1A; hence, the secured documents there from can be received into memory 132 or storage 136 through data bus 120. Also interfaced to data bus 120 is a display interface 126, a network interface 128, a printer interface 130 and a floppy disk drive interface 138. Generally, a client module, a local module or a server module of an executable version of one embodiment of the present invention can be stored to storage 136 through floppy disk drive interface 138, network interface 128, device interface 124 or other interfaces coupled to data bus 120. Execution of such module by CPU 122 can cause the computing device 118 to perform as desired in the present invention. In one embodiment, the device interface 124 provides an interface for communicating with a capturing device 125 (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, a smart card reader or a voice recorder) to facilitate the authentication of a user of the computing device 118.

[0053] Main memory 132, such as random access memory (RAM), is also interfaced to data bus 120 to provide CPU 122 with instructions and access to memory storage 136 for data and other instructions. In particular, when executing stored application program instructions, such as for document securing or document accessing, CPU 122 is caused to manipulate the data to achieve results contemplated by the program instructions. Read-only memory (ROM) 134 is provided for storing executable instructions, such as a basic input/output operation system (BIOS) for operation of keyboard 140, display 126 and pointing device 142 which may be present.

[0054] In one embodiment, the computing or storage device 102 is capable of storing secured items (e.g., secured files) in the main memory 132 or the storage 136. The main memory 132 provides non-persistent (i.e., volatile) storage for the secured items and the storage 136 provides persistent (i.e., non-volatile) storage for the secured items. Hence, the computing or storage device 102, or more particularly, the main memory 132 and/or the storage 136 can act as a storage device for the secured items.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 2A, a block diagram of securing a created document 200 is shown according to one embodiment of the invention. For example, the created document 200 is a created file. After the document 200 is created, edited or opened with an application or authoring tool (e.g., Microsoft WORD), upon an activation of a command, such as “Save,” “Save As” or “Close”, or automatic saving invoked by an operating system, the application itself, or an approved application, the created document 200 is caused to undergo a securing process 201. The securing process 201 starts with an encryption process 202, namely the document 200 that has been created or is being written into a store is encrypted by a cipher (e.g., an encryption process) with a file key (i.e., a cipher key). In other words, the encrypted data portion 212 could not be opened without the file key. For the purpose of controlling the access to the contents in the document 200 or the resultant secured file 208, the file key or keys may be the same or different keys for encryption and decryption and are included as part of security information contained in or pointed to by a header 206. The file key or keys, once obtained, can be used to decrypt the encrypted data portion 212 to reveal the contents therein.

[0056] To ensure that only authorized users or members of an authorized group can access the secured file 208, a set of access rules 204 for the document 200 is received or created and associated with the header 206. In general, the access rules 204 determine or regulate who and/or how the document 200, once secured, can be accessed. In some cases, the access rules 204 also determine or regulate when or where the document 200 can be accessed.

[0057] In addition, security clearance information 207 can be added to the header 206 if the secured file 208 is classified. In general, the security clearance information 207 is used to determine a level of access privilege or security level of a user who is attempting to access the contents in the secured file 208. For example, a secured file may be classified as “Top secret”, “Secret”, “Confidential”, and “Unclassified”. According to one embodiment, the security clearance information 207 includes another layer of encryption of the file key with another key referred to herein as a clearance key. An authorized user must have a clearance key of proper security level in addition to an authenticated user key and proper access privilege to retrieve the file key. As used herein, a user key or a group key is a cipher key associated with an authenticated user and may be used to access a secured file or secure a file, or create a secured file. Additional detail on obtaining such a user key upon a user being authenticated is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,194.

[0058] According to another embodiment, the security clearance information 207 includes a set of special access rules to guard the file key. The retrieval of the file key requires that the user passes an access rule measurement. Since access privilege of a user may be controlled via one or more system parameters (e.g., rules or policies), the access rule measurement can determine if the user has sufficient access privilege to retrieve the file key in conjunction with the corresponding user key.

[0059] In accordance with the security clearance information 207, a user may be assigned a hierarchical security clearance level based on, perhaps, a level of trust assigned to the user. A level of trust implies that one user may be more trusted than another and hence the more trusted user may access more classified files. Depending on implementation, a level of trust may be based on job responsibility of the user or a role of the user in a project or an organization background checks, psychological profiles, length of service, etc. In any case, a level of trust assigned to the user augments additional aspect to the access privilege of the user such that the user must have proper security clearance to access a classified secured file even if the user is permitted by the access rules to access the file.

[0060] In general, a header is a file structure, preferably small in size, and includes, or perhaps links to, security information about a resultant secured document. Depending on implementation, the security information can be entirely included in a header or pointed to by a pointer that is included in the header. The security information further includes the file key and/or one or more clearance keys, in some cases, an off-line access permit (e.g., in the access rules) should such access be requested by an authorized user. The security information is then encrypted by a cipher (i.e., an en/decryption scheme) with a user key associated with an authorized user to produce encrypted security information 210. The encrypted header 206, if no other information is added thereto, is attached to or integrated with the encrypted data portion 212 to generate the resultant secured file 208. In a preferred embodiment, the header is placed at the beginning of the encrypted document (data portion) to facilitate an early detection of the secured nature of a secured file. One of the advantages of such placement is to enable an access application (i.e., an authoring or viewing tool) to immediately activate a document securing module (to be described where it deems appropriate) to decrypt the header if permitted. Nevertheless, there is no restriction as to where the encrypted header 206 is integrated with the encrypted data portion 212.

[0061] It is understood that a cipher may be implemented based on one of many available encryption/decryption schemes. Encryption and decryption generally require the use of some secret information, referred to as a key. For some encryption mechanisms, the same key is used for both encryption and decryption; for other mechanisms, the keys used for encryption and decryption are different. In any case, data can be encrypted with a key according to a predetermined cipher (i.e., encryption/decryption) scheme. Examples of such schemes may include, but not be limited to, Data Encryption Standard algorithm (DES), Blowfish block cipher and Twofish cipher. Therefore, the operations of the present invention are not limited to a choice of those commonly-used encryption/decryption schemes. Any cipher scheme that is effective and reliable may be used. Hence, the details of a particular scheme are not further discussed herein so as to avoid obscuring aspects of the present invention.

[0062] In essence, the secured document 208 includes two parts, the encrypted data portion 212 (i.e., encrypted version of the document itself) and the header 210 that may point to or include encrypted security information for the secured document 208. To access the contents in the encrypted data portion 212, one needs to obtain the file key to decrypt the encrypted data portion 212. To obtain the file key, one needs to be authenticated to get a user or group key and pass an access test in which at least the access rules in the security information are measured against the user's access privilege (i.e., access rights). If the secured file is classified, it further requires a security level clearance on the user. In general, the security clearance level of the user must be high enough before the file key can be retrieved.

[0063] To facilitate the description of the present invention, it is assumed in the following that the secured item is not classified. Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the decryption in the following can be equally applied to secured items that are classified.

[0064] It should be noted that the header in a secured document may be configured differently than noted above without departing from the principles of the present invention. For example, a secured document may include a header with a plurality of encrypted headers, each can be accessible only by one designated user or a group users. Alternatively, a header in a secured document may include more than one set of security information or pointers thereto, each set being for one designated user or a group of users while a single file key can be used by all. Some or all of the access rules may be viewed or updated by users who can access the secured document.

[0065] As will be further described below, to access a secured document (or a secured file), a user needs a user key or keys to decrypt the encrypted security information or at least a portion of the header first. In one embodiment, the key or keys are associated with a user's login to a local server or a central server. Appropriate access privileges associated with the user are validated if the user has been authenticated or previously registered with the server and properly logged in. Depending on the permission or the access privileges, the access rules for the secured document determine whether the contents of the document shall be revealed to the user.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the access rules are present in a descriptive language such as text or a markup language (e.g., HTML, SGML and XML). In a preferred embodiment, the markup language is Extensible Access Control Markup Language (XACML) that is essentially an XML specification for expressing policies for information access. In general, XACML can address fine-grained control of authorized activities, the effect of characteristics of the access requester, the protocol over which the request is made, authorization based on classes of activities, and content introspection (i.e., authorization based on both the requester and attribute values within the target where the values of the attributes may not be known to the policy writer). In addition, XACML can suggest a policy authorization model to guide implementers of the authorization mechanism.

[0067] In general, the data portion of a secured item is a document or file encrypted with a cipher (e.g., a symmetric or asymmetric encryption scheme). Encryption is the transformation of data into a form that is impossible to read without appropriate knowledge (e.g., a key). Its purpose is to ensure privacy by keeping information hidden from anyone to whom it is not intended, even those who have access to other encrypted data. Decryption is the reverse of encryption. Encryption and decryption generally require the use of some secret information, referred to as a key. For some encryption mechanisms, the same key is used for both encryption and decryption; for other mechanisms, the keys used for encryption and decryption are different.

[0068] For the purpose of controlling the access to the document, the key or keys, referred collectively to as a file key, may be the same or different keys for encryption and decryption and are preferably included in the security information contained in, or pointed to by, the header and, once obtained, can be used to decrypt the encrypted document. To ensure that the key is not to be retrieved or accessible by anyone, the key itself is guarded by the access privileges and rules. If a user requesting the document has the proper access privileges that can be granted by the access rules and system policies if there are any, the key will be retrieved to proceed with the decryption of the encrypted document.

[0069] To ensure that the security information or the header is not readily revealed, at least a portion of the header itself can be encrypted with a cipher. Depending on an exact implementation, the cipher for the header may or may not be identical to the one used for the document. The key (referred to as a user key) to decrypt the encrypted header can, for example, be stored in a local store of a terminal device and activated only when the user associated with it is authenticated. As a result, only an authorized user can access the secured document. Optionally, the two portions (i.e., the header (possibly encrypted) and the encrypted document) can be encrypted again and only decrypted by a user key. In another option, the encrypted portions (either one or all) can be error-checked by an error-checking portion, such as using a cyclical redundancy check to ensure that no errors have been incurred to the encrypted portion(s) of the secured document.

[0070]FIG. 2B is a diagram of a representative data structure 220 for a secured file according to one embodiment. For example, the secured file can be the secured document 208 illustrated in FIG. 2A. The data structure 220 includes a header (or header portion) 222 and an encrypted data (or encrypted data portion) 224. The data structure 220 may also include an error-checking portion 225 that stores one or more error-checking codes, for example, a separate error-checking code for each block of data. For example, these error-checking codes can be associated with a Cyclical Redundancy Check (CRC) for the header 222 and/or the encrypted data. The header 222 includes a flag bit 227 and encrypted security information 226. The flag bit 227 indicates whether or not the data structure pertains to a file that is secured. The security information 226 can vary depending upon implementation. However, as shown in FIG. 2B, the security information 226 includes a user identifier (ID) 228, rules (access rules) 229, a file key 230 and other 231. The other 231 is additional space for other information to be stored within the security information 226. For example, the other information 231 may be used to include other information facilitating secure access to the secured file, such as version number or author identifier. The file key 230 is used to decrypt the encrypted data portion 214 so as to access the content or data of the secured file.

[0071] In an alternative data structure for a secured file, the header can include at least one pointer which points to a remote data structure stored in a storage device. The remote data structure can store some or all of the security information, thereby shortening the size of the header and improving manageability of security information. The storage device is typically a local storage device. In other words, the alternative data structure and the remote data structure are typically stored on a common machine (e.g., desktop or portable computer). The data structure 292 stores security information 294. Additional details on the alternative data structure can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/132,712 (Att. Dkt.: SSL1P005/SS-14), filed Apr. 26, 2002, and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MANAGEABILITY TO SECURITY INFORMATION FOR SECURED ITEMS,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] One advantage of setting up a set of access rules for a particular place or folder is to provide a securing mechanism for users to create secured documents without specifying as to who/how/when/where the documents can be accessed. Folders are commonly available with operating systems utilized with computers (e.g., servers and user computers). FIG. 2C shows a directory structure 280 including a clear folder 281 and a secured folder 282. The clear folder 281 is generally for storing system files or files that are not intended to be protected (secured). The secured folder 282 can include multiple subfolders that can be structured respectively for each different access level. For example, a document “employee list” can be accessed by anyone who has access privilege to access level A. Similarly, documents “product milestone” can be accessed by anyone who has access privilege to access level B, and “product specification” or “product schedule” can be accessed by anyone who has access privilege to access level C, respectively. Likewise, a created document, if placed in folder “design team 2”, will be automatically encrypted with the corresponding access rules that will permit only those who has access privileges to access level B. In this embodiment the access levels are hierarchical, meaning that a user with access level A authorization can access not only access A items but also the lower access levels B and C which are subsets of access level A. Similarly, the access level C is a subset of the access level B. Consequently, the access level A is a high access level, the access level B is an intermediate access level, and the access level C is a low access level.

[0073] Further, once a folder has been assigned, its access level or the access privileges needed by users to access the folder may change. For example, initially the folder 286 has an access level C and is associated with an authorized group known as “design team 3.” A policy change may occur that causes the users within the “design team 3” to change. In the example shown in FIG. 2C, the group “design team 3” initially includes users 1, 2, X and N. However, a modification to the group occurs such that the group “design team 3” subsequently includes users 1, 2 and N, noting that user X has been removed from the group. Hence, unless user X was moved up to access levels A or B, user X is no longer permitted access to the documents in the folder 286.

[0074] In real applications, various types of policy or updates changes are possible. The policy changes can affect system policies, access rules, various keys, groups or users. Some examples of policy changes include: (i) changes to group membership; (ii) addition, removal or modification to document access rules; (iii) changes to user keys; and (iv) addition, removal or modification to group access rights. In any case, once a policy change occurs, the policy change must be carried out by the security system in a reliable fashion without affecting others that are not subject to the change. The processing detailed below explains how policy changes are effectuated.

[0075]FIG. 3A is a diagram of a security system 300 according to one embodiment of the invention. The security system 300 operates to restrict access and/or usage to items (e.g., files, documents, etc.) residing within a computer network. By restricting access and/or usage of items, the items are secured or protected from unauthorized access or usage.

[0076] The security system 300 includes a central server 302. The central server 302 couples to a local server 304 through a link 306. The local server 304 couples to a user computer 308 over a link 310 and couples to a user computer 312 over a link 314. The central server 302 is a computer that performs centralized access control management or security processing for the security system 300. The local server 304 performs semi-centralized security processing for the security system 300. The user computers 308 and 312 perform localized security processing. The links 306, 310 and 314 can be provided by a network infrastructure which may utilize wired and/or wireless components.

[0077] In general, the security system 300 provides security to items in accordance with security policies. The security policies govern the nature and extent to which security is provided for the items. One representative operation of a security system 300 pertains to implementing changes to security policies and is as follows. An administrator interacts with the central server 302 to implement a change to the security policies being maintained by the security system 300. In this regard, the administrator would request that a security policy change be implemented for the security system 300. After the security policy change has been requested by the administrator, the central server 302 would inform the local server 304 of the security policy change. In one embodiment, the central server 302 would inform the local server 304 of the security policy change by sending a security policy update from the central server 302 to the local server 304 over the link 306. The local server 304 can then send a security policy change message to those of the user computers 308, 312 within the security system 300 that are affected by the security policy change. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the local server 304 sends a security policy change message to the user computer 312 over the link 314. Here, it is assumed that User X, whom is using the user computer 312, is affected by the security policy change. Hence, the local server 304 informs the user computer 312 of the security policy change by sending the security policy change message to the user computer 312. It should be noted that the local server 304 does not provide a security policy change message to the user computer 308 because its user, User A, is not affected by the security policy change.

[0078] Although the security system 300 is shown as including the central server 302 and the local server 304, it should be understood that the security system 300 can be implemented in a variety of different ways. For example, the security system according to the invention need not include any local servers. Alternatively, the security system could use a plurality of local servers. In any case, each server (e.g., a central server or a local server) is able to support one or more users and/or computers.

[0079] The security system according to the invention can, in general, include or make use of one to many user computers and at least one central server. The security system can also include or make use of one or more local servers as desired. In other words, the security systems operate in a distributed fashion. Nevertheless, according to the invention, security policy changes are able to be reliably effectuated in such distributed systems.

[0080] Referring now to FIG. 3B, there is shown a functional block diagram of a server device 320 in which a server module 322 resides in a memory space 323 and is executable by one or more processors 321. The server device 320 also includes a network interface 324 to facilitate the communication between the server 320 and other devices on a network and a local storage space 325. The server module 322 is an executable version of one embodiment of the present invention and delivers, when executed, features/results contemplated in the present invention. According to one embodiment, the server module 322 comprises an administration interface 326, an account manager 328, a system parameter manager 330, a user monitor 332, a local server manager 334, a partner access manager 336, an access report manager 338, and a rules manager 339.

[0081] Administration Interface 326:

[0082] As the name suggests, the administration interface 326 facilitates a system administrator to register users and grant respective access privileges to the users and is an entry point to the server module from which all sub-modules or the results thereof can be initiated, updated and managed. In one embodiment, the system administrator sets up hierarchy access levels for various active folders, storage locations, users or group of users. The privileges may include, but not be limited to: open, edit write, print, copy, download and others. Examples of the other privileges are: altering access privileges for other users, accessing secured documents from one or more locations, and setting up a set of access rules for a folder different from those previously set up (perhaps by the system administrator). The respective user IDs assigned to the users facilitate the management of all the users. Unless specifically stated differently, a user or a corresponding user ID is interchangeably used herein to identify a human user, a software agent, or a group of users and/or software agents. Besides a human user who needs to access a secured document, a software application or agent sometimes needs to access the secured document in order to proceed forward. Accordingly, unless specifically stated, the “user” as used herein does not necessarily pertain to a human being. In general, a user who will access a secured document is associated with a user key to allow an encrypted header in a secured document to be unlocked (decrypted). The expiration or regeneration of a user key may be initiated by the system administrator. According to one embodiment, the administration interface 326 is a user graphic interface showing options for various tasks that an authenticated system administrator or operator may need to perform.

[0083] Account Manager 328:

[0084] Essentially, the account manager is a database or an interface to a database 327 (e.g., an Oracle database) maintaining all the registered users and their respective access privileges, and perhaps corresponding user keys (e.g., private and public keys). In operation, the account manager 328 authenticates a user when the user logs onto the server 320 and also determines if the user can access secured documents from the location the user is currently at.

[0085] System Parameters Manager 330:

[0086] This module is configured to manage system parameters within the server module 322. These system parameters include, for example, user access privileges, system rules, and user keys. The system parameters manager 330 can be used to add, delete or modify any of the system parameters. The system parameters manager 330 can also interact with local modules and client modules to supply the system parameters to these distributed modules. For example, a user key can be expired (deleted) for security reasons when a user leaves the organization or when its time to replace the user key. The system parameters can be supplied to local modules and client modules by a “push” of system parameters to the other distributed modules or by a response to a “pull” request for updated system parameters.

[0087] User Monitor 332:

[0088] This module is configured to monitor user's requests and whereabouts. Typically, a user is granted to access secured documents from one or more designated locations or networked computers. If a user has a higher access privilege (e.g., to permit to access from other than the locations or networked computers), the user monitor 332 may be configured to ensure that the user can have only one access from one of the registered locations or computers at all times. In addition, the user monitor 332 may be configured and scheduled to interact with the system parameters manager 330 to “push” an update of system parameters or respond to a “pull” request for an update of system parameters.

[0089] Local Server Manager 334:

[0090] This module is designed to be responsible for distributing an appropriate local module for a local server servicing a predetermined location or a predetermined group of users. According to one embodiment, the local server manager 334 replicates some or all of the server module 322 being executed on the server 320 and distributes the replicated copy to all the local servers. As a result, a user can access secured documents anywhere within the network premises covered by the local servers without being authenticated at a single central server, namely the server 320. According to another embodiment, the local server manager 334 replicates some of the server module 322 being executed on the server 320 and distributes the replicated copy to a corresponding local server. In this embodiment, each of the local servers will have its own customized replication from the server module 322.

[0091] Partners Access Manager 336:

[0092] A special module to manage non-employees accounts. The non-employees may be consultants to a business that requires the consultants to access certain secured documents. The partners access manager 336 generally works in accordance with other modules in the server but puts additional restrictions on such users being directly managed by the partners access manager 336. In one application, the partners access manager 336 generates a request to the user key manager 330 to expire a key or key pair for a consultant when an engagement with the consultant ends.

[0093] Access Report Manager 338:

[0094] A module is configured to record or track possible access activities and primarily works with a corresponding sub-module in a client module being executed in a client machine. The access report manager 338 is preferably activated by the system administrator and the contents gathered in the access report manager 338 and is typically only accessible by the system administrator.

[0095] Rules Manager 339:

[0096] In general, the rules manager 339 is an enforcement mechanism of various access rules. According to one aspect, the rules manager 339 is configured to specify rules based on i) data types (e.g., Microsoft Word), ii) group users or individual, iii) applicable rights, and iv) duration of access rules. Typically, a set of rules is a policy (namely, a security policy). A policy can be enabled, disabled, edited, deployed and undone (e.g., one or two levels). Policies managed by the rules manager 339 operate preferably on a global level. The rules (as well as other system parameters) are typically downloaded to the client machine during the login process (after the user is authenticated) and can be updated dynamically. In addition, respective policies may be associated with active folders (i.e., those designated places to store secured documents). These polices are also downloaded and updated on the client machine. Simple policies can also be embedded in the document and provide document specific policies.

[0097] According to one embodiment, a header is received by a local server from a client and the access rules from the header are retrieved. The key manager 330 can be called upon to decrypt the encrypted security information in the header. The rules manager 339 can then parse the access rules from the security information and evaluate or measure the access rules against the access privileges of the user to determine whether the secured document can be accessed by the user. If the evaluation or measurement succeeds, a file key is retrieved and sent back to the client.

[0098] It should be pointed out that the server module 322 in FIG. 3B lists some exemplary modules according to one embodiment of the present invention and not every module in the server module 322 has to be implemented in order to practice the present invention. Those skilled in the art can understand that given the description herein, various combinations of the modules as well as modifications thereof without departing the spirits of the present invention, may achieve various desired functions, benefits and advantages contemplated in the present invention.

[0099]FIG. 3C shows a functional block diagram of a local server device 340. The local server device 340 executes a module, referred herein as a local module 342 which is configured to be a complete or partial replication of the server module 322 of FIG. 3B. The local server device 340 is generally similar to that of a server as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Namely, the local server device 340 includes one or more processors 341, a memory space 343, a network interface 344, and a local storage space 345. Given the similarity, many parts illustrated in FIG. 3C are not to be described again to avoid obscuring aspects of the present invention. As one of the features in the present invention, the local module 342 provides the dependability, reliability and scalability of the centralized access control management being undertaken by the central server 320 of FIG. 3B. As such, not all authentication requests need to be handled at one central point without losing control of the access control management. As another feature of the present invention, the users are not affected if the central server is brought down for maintenance and the connection to the central server is not available. If a number of local servers are used and each has a replication of the server module, the reliability of servicing the users is greatly enhanced. As a result, the local users need only to check with the corresponding local server and none of the users would be affected if other local servers are down for whatever reasons or disconnected from the central server.

[0100] The configuration of a user's access to secured documents is sometimes referred to as a provisioning process. The dynamic provisioning that has been described above is believed to provide the necessary security means needed by a large enterprise having employees in several locations without the loss of the centralized access control management at a central server. Further, the use of multiple local servers to support the central server can provide increased dependability, reliability and scalability.

[0101] Referring now to FIG. 3D, there is shown a functional block diagram of a client machine 360. As used herein, the client machine 360 is a computing device primarily used by a user to access secured documents. The client machine 360 can, for example, be a desktop computer, a mobile device or a laptop computer. According to one embodiment, the client machine 360 includes a processor 361, a client module 362, a memory space 363, a network interface 365 and a local store 367. The client module 362 resides in the memory space 363 and, when executed by the processor 361, delivers features, advantages and benefits contemplated in the present invention. Through the network interface 365, the client machine 360 is capable of communicating over a data network with other computers, such as a server. From the client machine 360, a user can access secured documents located in a repository (store) 366 that may be in the client machine 360, another networked device, or other storage means. According to one embodiment, the client module 362 includes a number of sub-modules including an access report module 364, a user verifying module 370, a key manager 368, a document securing module 371 and an off-line access manager 374.

[0102] Access Report Module 364:

[0103] This module is a software agent configured to record access activity and associated with an authenticated user. It reports to an access report module in the central server so that a record may be established as to what secured document has been accessed by which user during what time. In particular, the access report module 364 can be activated to capture access activities of the user when the client machine is not networked. The access activities will be later synchronized with the counterpart in the server to facilitate the access control management for the offline access.

[0104] Key Manager 368:

[0105] One of the purposes for the key manager 368 is to ensure that a secured document is still usable when the secured document is being accessed by an application that suddenly crashes. According to one embodiment, after the encrypted header is decrypted, the file key is then copied or a copy thereof is stored (cached) into the key manager 368. The file key is then used to decrypt the encrypted document. A clear document is now available to the application. If the application crashes due to power outage or interfered by another application or OS, the file key in the header could be damaged. If no copy of the file key is available, the secured document may not be usable any more because the encrypted document would not be decrypted without the file key. In this case, the reserved key maintained in the key manager 368 can be used to replace the damaged key and decrypt the encrypted document. After the user saves the file again, the file key is put back into the header. Another purpose for the key manager 368 is to cache a user key or keys of an authenticated user.

[0106] User Verifying Module 370:

[0107] This module is responsible for determining if a user who is accessing a secured document has been authenticated otherwise it will initiate a request for authentication with a local server or a central server. In other words, the user verifying module 370 is always consulted before a permission is granted to the user seeking access to a secured document. According to one embodiment, a user key or keys of an authenticated user are stored (cached) in the key manager 368 once the user is authenticated by the user verifying module 370 via the server. When a secured document is accessed, the user key must be retrieved from the key manager 368 to decrypt the encrypted security information in the header of the secured document.

[0108] Document Securing Module 371:

[0109] As described above, the DSM 371 includes a cipher 372 that is used to generate a file/user key and encrypt/decrypt a document/header. In addition, other securing means may be implemented in the DSM 371, for example, a filter to block copying contents in a secured document into a non-secured document or a link from a secured document/original source to another document or recipient source.

[0110] Off-Line Access Manager 374:

[0111] This module becomes effective only when the networked client machine is off the network, namely, the communication with a local server or a central server is not currently available. For example, a user is on the road and still needs to access some secured documents in a laptop computer. When live consultation is not available, the off-line access manager 374 is activated to ensure that the authorized user still can access the secured document but only for a limited time and perhaps with a limited privilege.

[0112] It should be pointed out that the client module 362 in FIG. 3D lists some exemplary sub-modules according to one embodiment of the present invention and not every module in the server module 362 has to be implemented in order to practice the present invention. Those skilled in the art can understand that given the description herein, various combinations of the sub-modules, may achieve certain functions, benefits and advantages contemplated in the present invention.

[0113]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of security policy change processing 400 according to one embodiment of the invention. The security policy change processing 400 can, for example, be performed by a security system, such as the security system 300 illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0114] A security policy change processing 400 begins with a security policy change 402. Here, typically, an administrator would interact with the security system to change a security policy, for example, via the administrative interface 326 of FIG. 3B. Next, those users that are affected by the changed security policy are determined 404. Unless to be applied to all users or user computers in the system, the changed security policy is targeted to applicable users. In other words, the changed security policy may be applied to only one user or a group of users or the terminals to be used by the user or the group of users. Depending on the changed security policy, the affected users may be determined in accordance with the account manager 328 of FIG. 3B. Then, security policy change messages are prepared 406 for the affected users, which can be performed in either the central server or the local server. In one embodiment, a changed security policy is pushed to a destination address identifying a computer being used by a user affected by the changed security policy. In another embodiment, a changed security policy is multicast to a plurality addresses respectively identifying computers being used by a number of identified users. In still another embodiment, a changed security policy is cached in a queue and pending a detected presence of an affected user (e.g., from a user monitor 332). In any case, after the security policy change messages have been prepared 406, the security policy change messages can be delivered 408 to the affected users. Here, the security policy change messages are normally delivered 408 to computers (i.e., user computers) that are being utilized by the affected users. In one embodiment, the security policy change messages can be delivered together with or in other routing messages. For example, a user state message is normally downloaded into a user machine when a user logs into a security system (e.g., a local server). The user state message may include user account information and various customized system policies to facilitate access by the user to electronic data secured in the security system. In this case, a security policy change can be effectuated in the user state message. If the user is on line, an updated user state message is immediately pushed to the affected user. If the user is not online, the security policy change takes effect in the user state message that is to be delivered next time the user logs on. Following the operation 408, the security policy change processing 400 is complete and ends.

[0115]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of security policy change message delivery processing 500 according to one embodiment of the invention. The security policy change message delivery processing 500, for example, is detailed processing associated with the delivery 408 of the security policy change messages to the affected users (i.e., computers of the affected users). In other words, the security policy change message delivery processing 500 is, for example, suitable for use as the operation 408 illustrated in FIG. 4 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0116] The security policy change message delivery processing 500 initially selects 502 a first (next) affected user. Here, it is assumed that it has previously been determined that there are one or more affected users. After the first affected user has been selected 502, a decision 504 determines whether the user is presently logged in. A user is logged in when the user has been authenticated by the system and approved for certain access rights to items being secured by the security system. When the decision 504 determines that the user is not presently logged in, the appropriate security policy change message is stored 506 to a delivery queue or effectuated in the user state message associated with the user for subsequent delivery. Here, the delivery queue is a buffer that is able to store a plurality of security policy change messages that are to be subsequently delivered. Alternatively, the delivery queue may be viewed as a user state message that receives the appropriate security policy change message and subsequent changes, if there are any.

[0117] On the other hand, when the decision 504 determines that the user is logged in, a location (e.g., computer) of the selected affected user is determined 508 within the security system. Next, the appropriate security policy change message is then forwarded 510 to the selected affected user at the determined location (e.g., computer). Following the operation 506 as well as following the operation 510, a decision 512 determines whether there are more affected users to be processed. When the decision 512 determines that there are more affected users, the security policy change message delivery processing 500 returns to repeat the operation 502 and subsequent operations so that security policy change messages for other of the affected users can be similarly processed. Alternatively, when the decision 512 determines that there are no more affected users, the security policy change message delivery processing 500 is complete and ends.

[0118]FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of security policy change queue storage processing 600 according to one embodiment of the invention. The security policy change queue storage processing 600 is, for example, performed by the operation 506 illustrated in FIG. 5. According to the security policy change queue storage processing 600, security policy change messages are able to be manipulated while they await delivery such that stale or erroneous security policy change messages can be altered. As a result, security policy change messages destined for the same affected user can be consolidated for improved efficiency and reliability.

[0119] The security policy change queue storage processing 600 begins with a decision 602. The decision 602 determines whether the security policy change message being stored to a delivery queue affects any of the other queued messages already stored in the delivery queue. When the decision 602 determines that the security policy change message does affect other previously queued messages, then the other queued messages that are affected can be modified 604. Alternatively, when the decision 602 determines that the security policy change message does not affect the other queued messages, then the operation 604 can be bypassed. Thereafter, following the operation 604 as well as following the operation 602 when the decision has determined that there are no other queued messages that are affected, the security policy change message is stored 606 to the delivery queue. Following the operation 606, the security policy change message is stored 606 to the delivery queue. Following the operation 606, the security policy change queue storage processing 600.

[0120] An example of a simplified delivery queue is as follows: UserID Stored Message 12345 M34; M33; M32; M21 12678 M40 34267 M99; M87; M34

[0121] Note that the simplified delivery queue stores messages that are deferred in their delivery to the corresponding users. Each user has a unique user identifier (UserID). The messages deferred for particular users are affiliated with one another. For example, for the user having the UserID of “12345”, the simplified delivery queue stores four message (M21; M32; M33 and M34). Note that the order of the messages is retained in the simplified delivery queue using a first-in-first-out approach, such that the message M21 is first sent to the user having the UserID of “12345”. However, the earlier queued massages within the simplified delivery queue can be modified due to subsequent messages. For example, as to the messages for the user having the UserID of “12345”, when the fourth queued message M34 is about to be stored to the simplified delivery queue, the security system (e.g., the processing of FIG. 6) can operate to modify one or more of the queued messages M33, M32 or M21. As a simple example, assume that message M21 removed the user having the UserID of “12345” from the engineering team 3. If the subsequent message M33 adds the user having the UserID of “12345” back to the engineering design team 3, then the earlier message M21 can be deleted or replaced with the message M33. As a result, the messages M21 and M33 are able to be collapsed into a single message, which improves bandwidth utilization and minimize unnecessary interruption to the user and provides that the affected user receives the most updated policy change.

[0122] Security policies including system policies and access rules protect or secure electronic data. In general, the access rules are provided in a secured item and have been previously described. The system policies are rules that provide restrictions imposed by the system. Examples of the various levels of rules may include one or more system rule sets at a server machine and/or a client machine, a special rule set imposed by a system operator and the rule set associated with or embedded in a secured file. In dealing with highly sensitive files, a system rule can limit a user to accessing certain secured documents from only certain designated computers. In a distributed system in which a number of local servers are used, some of the changes to the system rules may only originate from a central server to one or more of the local servers being affected. Similarly, some of the changes to the system rules may only originate from one or more of the local servers to one or more of the user computers being affected.

[0123]FIG. 6B is a flow diagram of how to efficiently effectuate a security policy change in a distributed network according to one embodiment of the invention. The security policy change pertains to the changes between two entities. In other words, an update or change command is initiated from a central server to a local server. The local server is then activated to generate a change for the affected users in accordance with the change command received from the central server. One of the features in the operation 620 is that the network efficiency is achieved. The update commands or update messages are distributed only to those involved. In general, the operation 620 can be, for example, performed in the local server 304 of FIG. 3A or in accordance with the operation 400 illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0124] The operation 620 is activated when a command including a policy change or a policy change request is received 622 from a server (e.g., a central server or another server). For example, a command, notifyAddedUserGenSysRight meaning that a specific system right has been added to the user, is received. Upon receiving the command, the local server generates a corresponding command (e.g., notifyAddedGroupGenSysRight) in accordance with the command from the central server. Depending on the affected user that may be present or absent in the system, the corresponding command may be pushed 626 to the user to effectuate the policy change or queued in a queue, or take effect in the user state message.

[0125] In general, there is a plurality of local servers to a central server. To achieve the network efficiency, the server needs first to determine which local servers may be activated to carry on a policy change being initiated. Since each of the local servers is configured to manage its own users while the local servers are being managed by the central server, a local server that serves an affected user can be readily identified. Additional details of identifying such user may be provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,194. When such local server is identified, the command to affect the policy change needs to be pushed only to the local server. Subsequently, the local server needs to generate a command to affect the policy change and deliver such command only to the effected users. As a result, no other local servers are affected, and nor other users are affected by the policy change but served by the same local server.

[0126] The following table illustrates some exemplary commands to carry out a system policy update or change originated from a central server to a local server: void notifyAddedGroupGenSysRight(String groupId, int rightKey) notifies a local server that a general system right has been added to the group void notifyAddedGroupSpecSysRight(String groupId, int rightKey, String pertinentGroupId) notifies a local server that a specific system right has been added to the group void notifyAddedUserAllowedHost(String userId, String host) notifies a local server that a host has been allowed for a user void notifyAddedUserGenSysRight(String userId, int rightKey) notifies a local server that a general system right has been added to the user void notifyAddedUserSpecSysRight(String userId, int rightKey, String pertinentGroupId) notifies a local server that a specific system right has been added to the user void notifyAddedUsersToGroup(ArrayList userIds, String groupId) notifies a local server that users have been added to a group void notifyChangedFolder(String invokerId, String path, ArrayList affectedGroups) notifies a local server that an active folder has been changed void notifyChangedFolderAccesserGroups(String activeFolderId, ArrayList accesserGroupIds, ArrayList affectedGroups) notifies a local server that an active folder's access groups have been changed void notifyChangedGroupFolders(String groupId, ArrayList folderIds) notifies a local server that the group's active folders have been changed void notifyChangedGroupKeyPair(String groupId, byte[] newGroupPubKey, byte[] newGroupPrivKey) void notifyChangedGroupRuleSets(String groupId, ArrayList rulesetIds) notifies a local server that a group's rule sets have been changed. void notifyChangedRule(String ruleId, HashMap rule, ArrayList affectedGroups) notifies a local server that a rule has been changed void notifyChangedRuleSet(String rulesetId, String name, ArrayList affectedGroups) notifies a local server that a rule set has changed void notifyChangedRuleSetRules(String rulesetId, ArrayList ruleIds, ArrayList affectedGroups) notifies a local server that a rule set's member rules have been changed void notifyChangedUserDefaultGroup(String userId, String newDefaultGroupId) notifies a local server that a user's default group has changed void notifyChangedUserLS(String userId) notifies a local server that the user's local server has been switched void notifyChangedUserUIPref(String userId, byte[] newUIpref) notifies a local server that a user's user interface (UI) preference has changed. void notifyDroppedGroup(String droppedGroupId) notifies a local server that a group has been dropped void notifyDroppedGroupGenSysRight(String groupId, int rightKey) notifies a local server that a general system right has been dropped from the group void notifyDroppedGroupSpecSysRight(String groupId, int rightKey, String pertinentGroupId) notifies a local server that a specific system right has been dropped from the group void notifyDroppedUser(String userId) notifies a local server that a user has been dropped void notifyDroppedUserAllowedHost(String userId, String host) notifies a local server that a host has been disallowed for a user void notifyDroppedUserGenSysRight(String userId, int rightKey) notifies a local server that a general system right has been dropped from the user void notifyDroppedUsersFromGroup(ArrayList userIds, String groupId) notifies a local server that users have been dropped from the group, in case of dropGroupMember void notifyDroppedUserSpecSysRight(String userId, int rightKey, String pertinentGroupId) notifies a local server that a specific system right has been dropped from the user String notifyNewCentralServerList(ArrayList newUrls) notifies a local server about a new central server URL list

[0127] The following table illustrates some exemplary commands to carry out a system policy update or change originated from a local server to a user computer or client machine (CM): int notifyAddedDocRule(int policyId, int docRuleId, byte[] dacRuleText) notifies the CM that a doc rule has been added to a policy int notifyAddedGroupGenSysRight(String userId, String groupId, int rightKey) notifies a CM that a general system right has been added to the group int notifyAddedGroupSpecSysRight(String userId, String groupId, int rightKey, String pertinentGroupId) notifies a CM that a specific system right has been added to the group int notifyAddedPolicy(int policyId, String policyName) notifies a CM that a new policy has been created int notifyAddedUserGenSysRight(String userId, int rightKey) notifies a CM that a general system right has been added to the user int notifyAddedUserSpecSysRight(String userId, int rightKey, String pertinentGroupId) notifies a CM that a specific system right has been added to the user int notifyAddedUserToGroup(String userId, String newGroupId, HashMap newGroupInfo) notifies a CM that the user now belongs to a new group notifyChangedActiveFolderTree(String userId, String newTree) notifies a CM that the active folder tree has been changed int notifyChangedGroupRuleText(int policyId, int docRuleId, byte[] newDocRuleText) notifies a CM that a document rule has been modified int notifyChangedGroupKeyPair(String userId, String groupId, byte[] groupPubKey, byte[] groupPrivKey) notifies a CM that a group key pair has been changed int notifyChangedSystemRules(String userId, String newRules) notifies a CM that the system rules have been changed int notifyChangedUserDefaultGroup(String userId, String newDefaultGroup) notifies a CM that the user's default group has changed int notifyDroppedDocRule(int policyId, int docRuleId) notifies a CM that a document rule has been dropped from a policy int notifyDroppedGroupGenSysRight(String userId, String groupId, int rightKey) notifies a CM that a general system right has been dropped from the group int notifyDroppedGroupSpecSysRight(String userId, String groupId, int rightKey, String pertinentGroupId) notifies a CM that a specific system right has been dropped from the group int notifyDroppedPolicy(int policyId) notifies a CM that a new policy has been dropped int notifyDroppedUserFromGroup(String userId, String groupId) notifies a CM that the user has been dropped from a group int notifyDroppedUserGenSysRight(String userId, int rightKey) notifies a CM that a general system right has been dropped from the user int notifyDroppeduserSpecSysRight(String userId, int rightKey, String pertinentGroupId) notifies a CM that a specific system right has been dropped from the user int notifyUserForcedLogOut(String userId, int flag) notifies that the user needs to be logged out, for various reasons.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the access control management is performed in a distributed fashion to ensure that an update or change is guaranteed to be delivered to an affected user even if an affected local server is not operative at the time an update shall be effectuated. Namely, a number of local server servers are employed to operate largely on behalf of a central server responsible for the centralized access control management. Such a distributed fashion ensures the dependability, reliability and scalability of the access control management undertaken by the central server, the detail of which is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,194.

[0129] In operation, according to one embodiment, every update to an affected user or a user computer is assigned an identifier. A server (e.g. a local or central server) can be configured to keep track of all identifiers for the updates it has generated or responded to. If, for some reason, a local server is not operative at the time an update command shall be received or an update message (or contained in a state message) should be released to an affected user, the central server can be configured to keep track of the update that is meant for that local server up to a certain limit. When the local server comes up again, it will get the appropriate updates that were saved on its behalf from the central. Alternatively, since user information may be in one or more of the local servers being serviced by the central server, the central server can be configured to send a copy of that update command or update message to the local servers that maintain the user information for the affected user. When the affected user needs to get on the originally designed local server that is now inoperative, the affected user (i.e., the computer being used) is redirected to another local server that has the user information of the user, accordingly, the user receives the update. Since the updates are identified with respective identifiers, the same updates would not be applied more than once but guaranteed to be delivered to the affected user(s).

[0130] In any case, all applicable system rules as well as access rules embedded in a secure file are individually evaluated in an access right evaluation process when a user is attempting to access a secured item or secured area (e.g., a storage device). If there is a single logic failure from the evaluation of any of the system rules or the access rules, an access right to the secured file is denied. On the other hand, if each of the system rules and the access rules is respectively evaluated and all produce a logic pass, an access right to the secured file or area is granted.

[0131] In one embodiment, a system rule set may be classified as Regular and Super. A system rule set is Regular when the rule set is to be evaluated together with other system rules, if there are any. On the other hand, a system rule set is Super when the rule set is to be evaluated without considering the system rules that are Regular. In other words, a Super system rules provide an override mechanism used to force either a grant or a denial of the access right regardless of the other Regular rule(s). Typically, a Super rule is used by a system administrator to grant a special access right to a user who otherwise would not get in a normal setting.

[0132]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of deferred delivery processing 700 according to one embodiment of the invention. The deferred delivery processing 700 is utilized to deliver messages (i.e., security policy change messages) from a delivery queue to their destinations. In this embodiment, the deferred delivery processing 700 is performed during a login by an affected user.

[0133] The deferred delivery processing 700 begins with a decision 702 that determines whether a login request has been received. Here, a login request is initialed by a user attempting to access an item maintained or secured by the security system. When the decision 702 determines that a login request has not yet been received, then the deferred delivery processing 700 awaits such a request. Once the decision 702 determines that the login request has been received, the login request is evaluated 704. Additional details on the evaluation of login request can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/074,194, which was previously hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0134] After the login request is evaluated 704, a decision 706 determines whether the login is permitted. When the decision 706 determines that the login is not permitted, then the requester (i.e., requesting user) is informed 708 that the login was unsuccessful. On the other hand, when the decision 706 determines that the login is permitted, then a decision 710 determines whether there are any queued messages for the requestor. Here, when the login is permitted, the deferred delivery processing 700 determines 710 whether there are any queued messages for the requestor that have not yet been delivered. Accordingly, when the decision 710 determines that there are queued messages for the requestor, the queued messages are delivered 712 to the requestor. Here, the queued messages for the requestor are retrieved from the delivery queue and forwarded to the requestor (i.e., forwarded to the computer used by the requestor). The messages contain security policy changes (or possibly other system parameters) that are stored, installed or effectuated on the computer used by the requestor (user computer or client machine). These system parameters can be stored in an encrypted manner or stored in a hidden cache memory. Alternatively, when the decision 710 determines that there are no queued messages for the requester, then the operation 712 is bypassed. Next, following the operation 712 (or following the decision when the operation 712 is bypassed), the requester is informed 714 that the login was successful. Following the operations 708 and 714, the deferred delivery processing 700 is complete and ends.

[0135] The invention is preferably implemented by software, but can also be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

[0136] The various embodiments, implementations and features of the invention noted above can be combined in various ways or used separately. Those skilled in the art will understand from the description that the invention can be equally applied to or used in other various different settings with respect to various combinations, embodiments, implementations or features provided in the description herein.

[0137] The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different embodiments or implementations may yield one or more of the following advantages. One advantage of the invention is that policy changes are distributed only to those user computers (clients) that are affected by the policy changes. Another advantage of the invention is that policy changes are implemented timely, transparently and without user interaction. Still another advantage of the invention is that informing user computers about policy changes can be deferred until associated users are on-line (i.e., logged into security system).

[0138] The foregoing description of embodiments is illustrative of various aspects/embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications to the present invention can be made to the preferred embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description of embodiments. 

We claim:
 1. A method for distributing a security policy change within a security system distributed over a computer network, the method comprising: generating a command to include the security policy change in response to a request received from the central server; determining users that are to be affected by the security policy change; effectuating the security policy change in a state message for a user among the users when the user is not logged in the system, wherein the state message is to be pulled to the user whenever the user is logged in the system; and delivering the command to the user when the user is currently logged in the system.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the security policy change alters access privilege of the user to secured items in the system.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the security policy change is to affect a system policy originally placed for the user.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the secured items includes first and second portions, the first portion including security information and the second portion being an encrypted data portion, wherein the security information controls restrictive access to the second portion.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the security information includes at least a first key and a second key, the second key is used to encrypt the first key, the second key is encrypted and the encrypted second key is guarded by access rules.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the access rules are subsequently measured against the access privilege of the user.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is received from the central server, and the request is generated manually by an operator of the central server or in accordance with an event to alter access privilege of the user.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the request is generated in the central server, and wherein the generating of the command comprises: determining what the request is intended to do; effectuating the request locally, if the request is not intended to the users; and selecting the command suitably to carry out the security policy change, if the request is to affect the users.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: identifying the command or the security policy change by an identifier; and deleting the command once the security policy change has been effectuated.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering of the security policy change to the user comprising: pushing the command to the user; and effectuating the security policy change locally with respect to the user such that access privilege of the user is altered.
 11. A method for distributing a security policy change within a security system distributed over a computer network, the method comprising: receiving a request from a central server to carry out the security policy change to alter access privilege of a user to secured items in the system; determining a first local server that services the user; generating a command in a second local server in response to the request when it is determined that the first local server is not operative, both the first and second local servers coupled to the central server; delivering the command to the user when the user is currently logged with the second local server; and effectuating the security policy change in a state message for the user when the user is not logged in the system, wherein the state message is delivered to one of the first and second local servers whenever the user is logged with the one of the first and second local servers, wherein the state message is subsequently pulled to the user.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: identifying the command or the security policy change by an identifier; and deleting the command once the security policy change has been effectuated.
 13. The method of claim 11 further comprising routing the user to the second local server when the user intends to log with the first local server.
 14. An architecture for distributing a security policy change within a security system distributed over a computer network, the architecture comprising: a central server providing access control management in the system; at least a first local server and a second local server, each carrying out some or all of the access control management for a plurality of users; wherein the central server initiates a request to alter access privilege of a user managed by the first local server and sends the request to the second local server upon detecting that the first local server is not operative, in response to the request, the second local server pushes a command to the user to carry out the security policy change if the user is logged with the second local server; and wherein the central server effectuates the security policy change in a state message for the user when the user is not logged in the system, the state message is delivered to one of the first and second local servers whenever the user is logged with the one of the first and second local servers, the state message is subsequently pulled to the user.
 15. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code for distributing a security policy change within a security system, the computer readable medium comprising: program code for generating a command to include the security policy change in response to a request received from the central server; program code for determining users that are to be affected by the security policy change; program code for effectuating the security policy change in a state message for a user among the users when the user is not logged in the system, wherein the state message is to be pulled to the user whenever the user is logged in the system; and program code for delivering the command to the user when the user is currently logged in the system.
 16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the security policy change alters access privilege of the user to secured items in the system.
 17. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the security policy change is to affect a system policy originally placed for the user.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein each of the secured items includes first and second portions, the first portion including security information and the second portion being an encrypted data portion, wherein the security information controls restrictive access to the second portion.
 19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the security information includes at least a first key and a second key, the second key is used to encrypt the first key, the second key is encrypted and the encrypted second key is guarded by access rules.
 20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the access rules are subsequently measured against the access privilege of the user.
 21. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the request is generated in the central server, and wherein the program code for generating the command comprises: program code for determining what the request is intended to do; program code effectuating the request locally, if the request is not intended to the users; and program code for selecting the command suitably to carry out the security policy change, if the request is to affect the users.
 22. The computer readable medium of claim 15 further comprising: program code for identifying the command or the security policy change by an identifier; and program code deleting the command once the security policy change has been effectuated.
 23. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the program code for delivering the security policy change to the user comprising: program code for pushing the command to the user; and program code for effectuating the security policy change locally with respect to the user such that access privilege of the user is altered.
 24. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code for distributing a security policy change within a security system, the computer readable medium comprising: program code for receiving a request from a central server to carry out the security policy change to alter access privilege of a user to secured items in the system; program code for determining a first local server that services the user; program code for generating a command in a second local server in response to the request when it is determined that the first local server is not operative, both the first and second local servers coupled to the central server; program code for delivering the command to the user when the user is currently logged with the second local server; and program code for effectuating the security policy change in a state message for the user when the user is not logged in the system, wherein the state message is delivered to one of the first and second local servers whenever the user is logged with the one of the first and second local servers, wherein the state message is subsequently pulled to the user.
 25. The computer readable medium of claim 24 further comprising: program code for identifying the command or the security policy change by an identifier; and program code for deleting the command once the security policy change has been effectuated. 